Information for Instructors

First-Year Seminar Course Policies, Procedures, and Instructor Resources

Information for Instructors

Why Teach a First-Year Seminar? Honors and Research-Focused First-Year Seminars Submit a Proposal for Fall 2025 (Due Jan 31)

First-Year Seminars serve as an introduction to college-level learning and intellectual life at the University of Iowa.

First-Year Seminar instructors are highly engaged in student development and have an active, important role in their students' transition to college. As a result, First-Year Seminars introduce new, first year students to important principles and academic expectations that will help them be successful at the University of Iowa. In addition, First-Year Seminars provide students with an opportunity to work closely with UI faculty, instructional staff, or a senior-level administrator. These courses also serve as a unique mechanism for students to connect with other first year students in a smaller classroom setting.

Unlike college transition courses, which are designed to help students develop specific skills necessary for success in college (time management, study skills, goal setting, etc.), First-Year Seminars focus on exploring a single, specific academic topic, allowing for in-depth analysis and critical thinking around that subject matter.

Becoming a Hawkeye

What have students already learned?

First year students who join the University of Iowa in the fall have been busy learning before classes even begin! Find out what they 're learning and how they're becoming Hawkeyes.